How Do You Take The First Step?

I work with SimplePractice, which is the leading practice management software for behavioral health. Through this web-based service, you can make appointments and fill out any required paperwork before your first appointment. Later, you will be able to view a record of all your appointments, documents, and billing records. You can access the client portal by clicking the button below.

If you would prefer to make an appointment by phone, you can call (503) 655-5327

I am usually able to schedule an appointment within a week. If your situation is immediate, I will make efforts to schedule you as soon as possible. I maintain office hours Monday through Thursday and am available to meet with you both during day and evening hours.

Please do feel free to contact me with brief e-mail messages. I often prefer to respond to messages on the phone so be sure to leave a phone number in your e-mail message and a good time to reach you . . My email address is deshler@safeplacetotalk.com.

Before Your First Appointment

There is some information I would like you to read along with some forms to fill out before your first appointment. You may fill these forms out online through the Client Portal or if you prefer we can give you these forms at your first appointment – come a few minutes early to read and sign them.

I realize filling out forms can be tedious –I request this information to assure you of your rights as a client, and to gather information that will be help me provide the best possible service to you. If you have questions about these forms we can talk about them at our first session.

What Will Happen at Your First Appointment?

When we meet for the first time I will be interested in understanding your current concerns. We will look at the things in your life’s journey that have led you to therapy. What has occurred that has caused you to want to consider changes in your life? I will be interested in hearing about your current needs and what you would like to see happen as a result of this therapy experience. We will begin to think about some goals that could strengthen hope for you and that would make things better in your life.

When Therapy Ends

Often before therapy ends the time between sessions is lengthened to several weeks or a month. Focus is on strengthening skills learned to prevent old patterns from reoccurring. Ending therapy is a mutual decision based on the achievement of initial goals. However, many clients find that as time goes on new situations may occur in their lives or perhaps they just want to check back with me on occasion to reinforce some of the initial things we have worked on together. I want people to know I will continue to be available to them if future needs arise.

When a person ends their work with me it is always helpful for me to receive feedback about the person’s experience in therapy. At the conclusion of therapy it would be helpful if you could complete and return a client feedback form. Your responses will be valued. You may print this form from the link below.

How Much Does Therapy Cost?

Fees are based on prevailing standards in the community and most services may be covered in whole or in part by medical insurance. I participate in some insurance provider panels and expect to be adding more. However, I do not bill insurance directly. Instead, I ask for payment from you and then provide you with an invoice with all the required information for you to submit a claim to your insurance company. My standard hourly fee for therapy is $120. I am willing to discuss sliding scale if needed.

Sessions last approximately 50 minutes.